It was previously sold to Dubai World with the intention of transforming it into a luxury hotel, but this has failed to materialise.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe, who is spearing heading the campaign to bring the ship home to the UK, said: “The Queen Elizabeth 2 is an important piece of maritime history for the Clyde and Greenock. She was known as the most famous and grandest liner in the world. To see this once magnificent flagship of the Cunard line languishing in a dock in Dubai is simply heart breaking.”

“Given the reception just a few short weeks ago to the Queen Mary 2 on the 175th anniversary of Cunard on the Clyde, it is clear that the Queen Elizabeth 2 could be a major draw for visitors to Inverclyde and Scotland.

“That could be a major boost to the growing reputation we have for cruise ships and for tourism. It could also boost the promotion of the Clyde and Inverclyde’s proud maritime history to a national and, potentially, international audience.

“Bringing the Queen Elizabeth 2 home is a herculean task, but it is one that requires national support in Scotland and perhaps across the UK, if it has any chance of happening.

“Officers will make contact with the Dubai Government to find out the exact position, to find out if the reports on her condition are accurate and if she is actually for sale.”

Mr McCabe has said he will be writing to the First Minister, The Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism at the Scottish Government, and local MPs and MSPs, calling on them to use their influence through parliamentary motions to secure support and sources of national funding to bring the Queen Elizabeth 2 home.